"I am delighted with this year's remarkable Annual Giving results, which provide an exclamation mark to the conclusion of our Aspire campaign," said President Shirley M. Tilghman. "These unrestricted funds are critical to sustaining and expanding Princeton's excellence in teaching, research and scholarship, while also enabling us to meet the full financial needs of our students. I am very grateful to all our volunteers for their steadfast dedication, and to our alumni, parents and friends for so generously supporting Princeton."

The Annual Giving effort was an integral part of the University's five-year comprehensive fundraising campaign, Aspire, which concluded on June 30. Annual Giving contributed more than $254.5 million over five years toward the final total.

Undergraduate alumni participation in Annual Giving for 2011-12 surpassed 60 percent for the third successive year, drawing the largest number of alumni donors ever: 36,191. In addition, the 2011-12 campaign brought in a record number of gifts from all constituencies: 44,267.

The Class of 1987, with a participation rate of 70.8 percent, raised the greatest amount — $11,001,987, the highest total ever for a 25th Reunion and an all-time record for any class. The 60th Reunion Class of 1952 also set a record, with $2,648,667 from 77.6 percent of its members.

Seven other major Reunions classes raised more than $1 million: 1982 with $3,575,082; 1967 with $3,322,274; 1962 with $3,300,832; 1972 with $3,001,972; 1977 with $2,205,162; 1992 with $2,141,992 and; 1997 with $1,002,997.

For the third consecutive year, Princeton parents set a record, topping $3 million for the first time, with $3,229,010. Graduate alumni raised more than $1 million for the eighth straight year, with $1,566,745 from 3,027 graduate alumni — the largest number of graduate alumni donors ever.

The Class of 1958 raised the highest total among non-major Reunion classes for the fourth year in a row, with $798,866; seven other non-major Reunion classes set new records for their reunions.

In addition, this year's Annual Giving campaign crossed a milestone in cumulative giving to Princeton, raising $1.01 billion since 1940.

This year's participation was led by the Class of 1962, which posted 83.8 percent in celebration of its 50th Reunion. That was closely followed by the Class of 1963, which reached 81.9 percent; the Class of 1951, which achieved 80.4 percent; and the Class of 2010, which reached a record-setting 80.2 percent for second-year alumni. Thirteen other classes recorded participation of 70 percent or higher.

The youngest five classes averaged 74.9 percent participation, and the youngest 10 classes averaged 71.1 percent participation. The Class of 2012 achieved a pledge rate of 94.3 percent, with 1,185 of its members pledging to support Annual Giving for the next four years.

"The success of Annual Giving is the direct result of the dedication and spirit of our incredible staff and volunteer team together with the generosity and loyalty of our alumni, parents and friends," said Annual Giving Chair Kelly Doherty, a member of the Class of 1981, who is completing his term as the volunteer leader of Princeton's yearly efforts. "For the past three years, it has been especially heartening to serve alongside so many devoted Princetonians who share the common goal of supporting the University's enduring excellence."